Prince Dr. Mansour bin Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State and Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, arrived in the Maldives on Friday to participate in the country's 61st Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

According to the President's Office, Prince Mansour's visit is at the invitation of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The President's Office stated that Prince Mansour is representing Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Independence Day event, which is scheduled for Sunday.

He was received at Velana International Airport by Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, Iruthisham Adam, and Mohamed Naseer, the Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations.

A Guard of Honour was provided by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) upon his arrival.

Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Maldives' 60th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.